Tag: folklore

  • Storytime: The Loup Garoup

    Storytime: The Loup Garoup

    Loup garoups are also knows as rougarou in Louisiana, and most famously as werewolves.

    It’s almost Halloween, the time of year when the doors between the living world and the spiritual world are open wide. Soon we will observe Allhallowtide, when we remember the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

    It’s the perfect time to cozy up to a fire and hear tales of the supernatural. You decide… truth or fiction?

    In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, Kathleen Welch shares with us the legend of the Loup Garoup as found in Acadiana French-Canadian, Acadian, and Franco-American folklore.

    The rougaroo is on display at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans

    Loup garoups are also knows as rougarou in Louisiana, and most famously as werewolves. They are a terrifying night creature that emerges when the moon is full. Another word you might have heard associated with phases of the moon is “lunatic.”

    “The belief is that sinners may be transformed into black bears or dogs, in which shape they wander each night until someone draws blood from them, thereby breaking the curse,” says Welch, describing the loup garoup.

    You can learn a lot about werewolf legends at History.com

  • Storytime: Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch by Dianne de Las Casas

    Storytime: Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch by Dianne de Las Casas

    Dianne de Las Casas
    Dianne de Las Casas

    Listen to the magical storytelling of Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas. Here is Dianne reading “Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch,” from her collection Jambalaya – Stories With Louisiana Flavor.

    Brer Rabbit is a favorite recurring character in Louisiana folklore—as in all regions with strong African-American and Native American cultural influences. Brer Rabbit is a “trickster” figure, who can get out of tough situations and win the day though cunning and quick thinking.

    Though Brer Rabbit is smaller and less physically capable than other animals (and really, just exactly what damage can a bunny rabbit do anything besides a vegetable garden?), he uses clever tricks and fast talking to outsmart his rivals.

    We celebrate the life of Dianne de Las Casas—masterful storyteller, prolific children’s author, champion of Louisiana children and Louisiana folklore, incredible mother, educator, entrepreneur, and creative soul.

    Read “Remembering Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas”